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Domestic Well Owner Resources

Maintaining your domestic well

1. Have your well sounded 

This will require hiring a contractor. This method will give you an accurate groundwater depth at your exact well location. 

2. Have your water quality tested

Fresno County
Free water quality sampling of Bacteriological, Nitrate, and in some cases DBCP is available to well owners as a part of their permit fee. If you have not previously received your free sampling, contact Fresno County to make arrangements at (559) 600-3357 and ask to speak with the water specialist. Sampling for any other constituents requires hiring a contractor.

Kings Water Alliance
If you live in MAGSA and your household water comes from a well, you may be eligible for a free well test to test for unsafe nitrate contamination. The Kings Water Alliance is a local non-profit that will test your well and provide bottled water delivery to your home at no cost if your well is found to have unsafe levels of nitrate. Learn more, and find if you are eligible by filling out their 2-minute survey here.

3. Contact MAGSA for latest readings at monitoring wells in the area

Although it may not be as accurate as a measurement taken at the exact well site, monitoring wells represent the general groundwater conditions within your vicinity.

4. Understand signs that indicate your well is vulnerable to going dry

  • You notice sputtering air pockets when you are running water.
  • There is sand or sediment in the water.
  • The water is not clear, but muddy. 
  • Water tastes or smells funny.
  • Water pressure has declined.
  • Neighbors report same problems.

Call MAGSA at (559) 515-3339 or send us an email at info@mcmullinarea.org if you are concerned your well is vulnerable to going dry.

What to do if your domestic well goes dry

1. Review this guide from the California Department of Water Resources

2. Contact MAGSA

  • Call (559) 515-3339 or send us an email at info@mcmullinarea.org to discuss groundwater conditions and a path forward to ensure a secure future water supply.

3. Determine if you are eligible for free resources through programs like:

4. Hire a well driller

  • A well driller can either deepen your existing well or drill a new well. Call MAGSA for advice on depth and for recommended contractors in your area.

5. Work with MAGSA as we review new well permit applications

  • Read this memo from MAGSA’s General Manager on Governor Newsom’s Executive Order requiring GSAs approve new well permits.

Contact MAGSA

Phone: (559) 515-3339

Email: info@mcmullinarea.org

Visit our office: 275 S Madera Avenue, Suite 301, Kerman, CA 93630

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Domestic Well Owner Groundwater Guide

A guide to managing your domestic well including:

  • Checklist to determine how your well compares to local groundwater conditions.
  • Instructions on how to check groundwater conditions in your area.
  • Signs your well is vulnerable to going dry.
  • Overview of what to do if your well goes dry.
Access Groundwater Guide

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